Nokia "Bandit" 6-inch phablet being tested by AT&T

The Verge is reporting that sources have told them that Nokia will be releasing a phone with a 6-inch screen by the end of the year. The device, which is currently being tested by AT&T under the moniker "Bandit," will be the first Windows Phone-powered phablet, a device that bridges the gap between a phone and a tablet. Back in July, we saw a leaked photo of a 6-inch digitizer for such a device, so this isn't completely shocking, but some more details have been revealed.

According to the report, the "Bandit" will sport 1080p resolution, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and at least a 20 mega-pixel rear camera. The body of the device will allegedly have a hump on the back, like the Lumia 1020, to make room for the high-end camera.

Microsoft has added new features to Windows Phone 8, to be found in the GDR 3 update, that are specifically made to accommodate devices with 1080p resolution. There will be an extra column of tiles on the start screen, a rotation lock for screen orientation, and a driving mode feature.

So what do you think? Are you looking forward to a Windows Phone 8 phablet?

Yes❕ I would be very pleased with 128gb of storage... Although I'm sure 64gb would finally be enough... My 920 only has 5gb of storage left, and I could probably add another 10gb if I had the room... Everyone's needs are different, and streaming content isn't as reliable, fast, or instant as having it on your device.. Plus, with limited data plans streaming just is not practical.. The cloud is good for pictures, and video's, but if you are the one who can rack up 20gb of music, and who wants to have a few 1gb games then 32gb isn't nearly enough... A modern high end smartphone should have at least 32gb of storage with more storage options available for those who don't mind paying the extra money for it... What's wrong with that❔

haha... those are huge pockets now how would one hold it and use it as a phone when a)your bluetooth headset dies and b)your handsfree kit's internal wire is shot pieces lol c)the conversation is private and loud speaker is not an option.... One of my cousins was using the note (held against her head) while she was on the phone (she had her hair over the device), my initial reaction was what the hell happened to you! when I walked into the room lol.

I do admit that they look a little silly when talking with them like a "normal" phone. But I hardly if ever talk on my phone using it's microphone and speaker anyways. I'm almost always either using a bluetooth hands free speaker in the car, speaker phone when in private, or my mic'd headphones. Honestly, I hate holding a phone to my ear no matter what size it is. Even on my work phone I use a headset because I can't stand holding onto the handset.

I am still using my Titan with 7.8. I just refused to go down in screen size. I was hoping for something in the 5.5" range, but I'm cool with a 6" screen. I will definitely get me one of these Bandits.

I actually think 32GB is enough, but I would like to see them allow SD cards for people that need to expand beyond 32GB. Fact of the matter is, most users will never use more than 32GB, and Nokia needs to keep the devices cost competitive. Part of keeping costs down is limiting the number of SKU's since each SKU requires extra costs in manufacturing, stocking, and handeling. Maybe they could provide 64/128GB SKU's as online only options and a cheap way to grab headlines.

The grand scheme of everything is that a SD card slot to expand memory isn't that costly. If a customer is already spending on a high end device I don't think they would mind 5 dollars more lol. (or whatever the cost) I for one wish my 920 had a slot as my 32gb is pretty much full. An no its not from music.

I might not have written my post clearly. I'm for putting in SD card slots, since like you say, they are relatively cheap to implement. I'm against 64/128GB internal memory configuration because of the cost implications I mentioned.

I'm sure it will look great, it's Nokia after all, but to say it looks great already when all we can see is the supposed screen is calling it a bit early.
Really can't decide myself if I want to go this big on a phone.

what is wrong with you.. go to nokia.com and keep checking.. it is under test or coming soon.. it is not like you are a priority.. that they should stop all the work and address your concern.. They need to increase their volumn.. If you cannot wait.. go get a HTC handset where you can be sure it will not get anything from the basic stuff from MS and also late.

4.5 is the sweet spot for me, I can use my L920 with one hand, type with one hand as well since its pretty light and slim. I'm not being sarcastic lol, even my 4 year old nephews and nieces have no issues playing games via kids corner.

I hope the camera is an updated version of the 41MP cam, and I agree we need at least 64 GB on the device. It can be 32 with a MicroSD slot or 64 without, but I'm constantly hitting the storage wall on my 920, and I don't even use XBox Video (which I would like to some day) or podcasts anymore. Yes I use Spotify, Nokia Music and XBox Music, but I really need more space as I take alot of pictures and videos of my family. We just need more capacity.

Why not on Verizon? What is with the exclusives sigh. Love the idea of this phablet. So now we know Microsoft did not have 1080p support in wp8. Glad to see Microsoft is slowly getting their act together.

No longer a fan of these exclusives on att, the US is their smallest market with the most biased reps, worst carrier partner and a consumer base totally immersed in apple and google. Why not launch in European countries where they actually have significant market share? When you announce quarterly sales numbers of only 500,000 after all they hype and promotion its time to rethink this att exclusivity bs.

Not a fan of exclusives, but Nokia has to continue getting revenue to recover and apparently, ATT is the only one offering cash while others use low market share to hold Nokia over a barrell like Apple does carriers

let me kick you back into reality, the Metro versions will be not on par with RT/W8 Office and will be Free to download from the Store, Metro versions of the Office Apps could be feature rich in like 2-4 years, but not sooner.

AT&T devices work on T-Mobile network if the phone is unlocked. The problem is that, depending on your location, you can only get Edge on T-Mobile. There will be people selling unlocking codes for this phablet within a week of release.

NO THANKS!!!!! I'll never use a att phone again on T-Mobile unless it's Pentaband. Plus it takes forever to get unlock codes for att phones. Rogers 920 came pentaband and unlocked. I think there was at least a 6 month wait for att.

AT&T is already giving out unlock codes for the 1020 so getting the phone unlocked shouldn't be an issue. At least where i live and i know everywhere else T-mobile is launching their LTE, they're using the same frequencies as AT&T (my mom gets LTE on my old Lumia 900 in Boston on T-mo's network). I might be purchasing one of these from the MS store (too bad I just got a 925 after my 8X broke) and throwing assure on it because T-mo insurance wouldn't cover an AT&T phone.

Same here. I messed around with the 1020 and it's nice but not different enough from my 920 to make it worth it, especially when you know the 1080p phones are coming. I don't take too many photos so this to me would be a side-grade. I'll hold off for whatever this bigger phone ends up being.

Anything that TheV says is true, doesn't happen. They said that their sources confirmed that instagram will launch with WP8, then they said insta will launch with 1020, then they said it will launch with GDR3, then they said instagram app is already finished, waiting for WP 8.1 launch. TheV is just playing a rumor game. And look at the image closely, its fake. PhotoShop around the edges.

From now on , anything that has to do with AT&T doesn't have my money and support.Stupid they are, I went to buy a 520 and they want me to activate it. That's why I flashed my 920 with the Amber European Rom. They really doesn't help the platform to grow.My local store have the 1020 in the back and with little promotion throughout the store. Those carrier exclusive and attitude from AT&T are going to kill the platform. From now on international phones for me with MVNO or T mobile sims. Really don't care about if it picks LTE or not.

I really wish they don't create this device, it looks very geeky while all lumias look pretty cool. Doesn't match the level of hip introduce by other lumias. But I think Nokia will focus on Bluetooth accessories alot when it cones to their phablets.

There's nothing inherently more masculine about larger phones. And nothing less masculine about having smaller hands. This phone won't fit well in the pockets of the most manly men I know. Unless by masculine you meant overweight with XL pants.

I can just imagine how busy the background task list is going to be with all those live tiles...though add a stylus and update OneNote and you have an AMAZING focus towards students and business users, even if it is huge

I really am looking forward to this phablet my 4.5 Lumia is too small for me. However, 6" is "stretching it" (pun intended) for a phablet. Sometimes I use a Note II for testing at work and I think 5.5" is perfect for one handed use.. (Basketball palmer here) Beyond that, I will really need to evaluate if I am comfortable with two handed use..

I won't by RT or iPad or Android. Too small and useless for actual work. Too big to put in pocket. Since I don't use mobile phone too much for calling, I would seriously consider Nokia phablet - small tablet and phone, all in one!

I don't get it.:). Tablets are too small and therefore useless for actual work. You don't use a mobile phone for calling. So you want a smaller tablet that is even more useless for you mixed with a phone you will never use?

You mean too big for you.. That's like saying a 3.6 inch device is to small.. Some people might like the smaller devices... You should be saying that this is cool, and it's great that WP is getting more options to please more people, and be competitive..

I fail to see what the "you get what you pay for" has to do with anything. Regardless of what tier of data you have on AT&T service you pay for you have the same reception. Everywhere I have lived in the US has had shitty service from ATT. Rural Kentucky to obscenely large Florida cities. None of them have been good. ATT isn't worth their cost. That is why they are widely regarded as the worst carrier in the US.